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MUSICAL MERCHANDISE
Conducted By Thomas W. Bresnahan
Rapid Growth of School Band Contest
Idea Emphasized in Bureau Booklet
1929 Year Book of State and National School Band Contests Indicate That Some
Thirty States Are Now Organized to Conduct Contests Regularly
*T*HE National Bureau for the Advancement
* of Music has just issued its 1929 Year Book
of State and National School Band Contests,
which is by far the most imposing volume of
the series, the first of which was published in
1924 by the Bureau in co-operation with the
Music Supervisors' National Conference. The
growth of the movement is emphasized in the
fact that while but five States were organized
when the first edition of eight pages was issued,
there have now been organized thirty States re-
quiring a volume of eighty pages to outline their
activities. Some 500 school bands participated
in the contests this year, embracing some 30,000
players, and photographs of seventy-one of the
prize-winning bands are included in the volume.
One of the attractive features of the book is
the illustrations of the prizes given winning
bands and their players, and donated by the
National Association of Band Instrument Manu-
facturers. Prominent place in a box on the
inside front cover page is given to a public
tribute made by the Music Supervisors' Com-
mittee to the members of this Association, who
are Vincent Bach Corp., Buescher Band In-
strument Co., C. G. Conn, Ltd., Frank Holton
& Co., Martin Band Instrument Co., and H. N.
White Co. About 300 of these prizes, including
State championship trophies, bronze tablets of
various sizes, and sets of medals in gold, silver
and bronze were included in the awards of 1928.
The booklet starts off with a brief resume of
the national contest in Joliet, 111., last May,
.vhich was the culmination of the first five years
of the committee's work, and in which twenty-
seven picked bands from fourteen States par-
ticipated. Then follows a review of the com-
mittee's co-operation with State school band
contests since their inception, and a statement
of its aims and policies regarding the contests.
Attention is called to the fact that warm per-
sonal interest has been manifested in the con-
tests, and expert counsel freely given, by the
most prominent band directors in the country,
including John Philip Sousa, Edwin Franko
Goldman, Captain Taylor Branson, Herbert L.
Clarke, and others, some of whom are now serv-
ing on the advisory committee, and all of whom
have given their services as judges in the na-
BACON
BANJOS
tional events. Above all the contests have
greatly stimulated the interest of school authori-
ties and the public in school bands and school
instrumental music in general, which in many
States has led to a notable increase in the num-
ber of new bands established and a w T holesomc
expansion and improvement of those already in
existence.
A new feature of the contest this year is the
addition of a fifth class of participants to the
four previously provided for. This new class
is a special division for small high schools, with
an enrollment of less than 250, and is aimed to
give particular encouragement to the develop-
ment of bands in these institutions in all sec-
tions of the country.
Give Band Concerts to
Buy School Instruments
AKRON, O., December 17.—Purchase of musical
instruments for Akron school bands and or-
chestra were made possible from proceeds of
two band concerts by John Philip Sousa and
his band at the Akron Armory, Saturday, De-
cember 1. Earle Poling, of the Windsor Poling
Music Co., was active in the promotion of the
concerts and a substantial fund was realized
for band and orchestra movement in the schools
here.
Takes New Quarters
MILWAUKEE, WIS., December 18.—The Boyer
Music Shop, Inc., formerly at 5121 North
avenue, has opened in its new quarters at 5521
North avenue. The Boyer store features radio
and carries the Philco, Kolster, Crosley,
Bremer-Tully, McMillan and Lyric radios. The
radio demonstration room of the store is fur-
nished in the manner of a modern home.
Music Importers Interested in Proposed
Legislation Facilitating Entry of Goods
Contemplated Measure Would Authorize Customs to Release Merchandise With-
out Bond or Original Bill
\ i y A S H I N G T O N , D. C , December 17.—En-
* * actment of legislation authorizing collec-
tors of customs to permit the entry and to re-
lease merchandise from customs custody with-
out the production of the original bill of lading,
provided the person making the entry furnishes,
in lieu thereof, a copy marked "for customs
purposes only," certified by the carrier of the
merchandise to be an exact copy of the original
on file in his custody, is being urged by im-
porters in letters to members of Congress.
It is declared that this legislation will be
greatly in the interest of the importing in-
dustries without jeopardizing in the least the
interests of the Government. The need for
legislation of this character is said to be em-
phasized by the fact that at present a collector
of customs, for his own protection, must re-
New Store in Philadelphia
The Efficiency Music Store has been opened.
at 429 North Sixty-fourth street, Philadelphia,
by Gregory Porrise, and will carry a full line
of musical merchandise, including pianos and
phonographs.
Played by Leading
Musicians and Orchestras
quire adequate bond when releasing mer-
chandise without the original bill of lading.
The premium charged on these bonds by
surety companies, it is said, amounts to a con-
siderable total, particularly if several entries
of this character must be made. As a result, an
additional financial burden is being imposed
upon importers of merchandise who, for any
reason, seek the release of their importations
without having the original bill of lading to
show.
Larger Quarters for
Liberty Music House
SEATTLE, WASH., December 18.—E. R. Mitchell,
president of the Liberty Music Co., this city,
has leased new quarters at 1518 Second avenue,
which will give the company five times its pres-
ent floor space in which to handle its growing
business. Approximately $30,000 will be spent
in remodeling, redecorating and furnishing the
new quarters, which will be occupied about
January 15 next and will probably be one of
the finest establishments in this section.
f
MUSICAL MERCHANDISE
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MAKERS
SINCE 1883
Sold by Representative
Mutic Merchants
The Fred Gretsch
BACON BANJO CO., Inc.
6O Broadway Broo
GROTON, CONN.
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